Specimen-analyzing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Automatic specimen-analyzing apparatus for performing selected analyses of specimens in accordance with information contained on origin cards associated therewith, respectively, characterized in that improved means are provided for correlating with the successive supply of the specimen containers into storage locations in a specimen magazine the supply of the corresponding origin cards into card storage locations in a card magazine. Detector means are provided for determining whether or not a given location of each magazine is in a filled condition. When these given locations are determined to be correctly filled, the magazines are displaced in a step-by-step manner relative to the supply means associated therewith to permit a specimen container and the corresponding origin card to be deposited in the storage locations immediately following said given locations.

United States Patent Inventor Rudolf Oberli Langenthal, Switzerland Appl. No. 68,934

Filed Sept. 2, 1970 Patented Dec. 28, 1971 Assignee Greener Electronic AG Langenthal, Switzerland Priority Sept. 5, 1969 Switzerland 13475/69 Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner Douglas D. Watts Attorney-Lawrence E. Laubscher ABSTRACT: Automatic specimen-analyzing apparatus for performing selected analyses of specimens in accordance with information contained on origin cards associated therewith, respectively, characterized in that improved means are provided for correlating with the successive supply of the specimen containers into storage locations in a specimen SPECIMEN-ANALYZXNG APPARATUS 11 Claims 1 Drawing Fig. magazine the supply of the corresponding origin cards into card storage locations in a card magazine. Detector means are [1.5. CI 198/1, provided for determining whether or not a given location of 1 /1 each magazine is in a filled condition. When these given loca- Int. Cl 865g (ions are determined to be correctly filled, the magazines are Field of Search 198/19, 1, di laced in a step-by-step manner relative to the supply y 161 means associated therewith to permit a specimen container and the corresponding origin card to be deposited in the References C'ted storage locations immediately following said given locations. UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,393,276 10/1921 Fuller [41/156 l T T T T T 28' 2. o -1;

SPECIMEN-ANALYZING APPARATUS This invention relates generally to automatic specimenanalyzing apparatus of the type wherein various selected analyses are automatically performed on specimens in accordance with information contained on origin cards associated therewith. During the data processing of the origin cards and the corresponding analysis and measuring and testing of the specimens, the specimens are deposited in containers that are successively introduced into the specimen container magazine, and the origin cards are successively introduced into the card magazines in a sequence corresponding with that of the specimen containers.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a continuously operable specimen-analyzing apparatus of the type described above that is readily adaptable for changeover between different analyzing procedures as indicated on the corresponding origin cards. To this end, specimen container detecting means and origin card sensing means are provided for checking the filled or empty conditions of given storage locations on the specimen and card magazines prior to stepping of the magazines to the next position and the depositing of the specimen container and the origin card in the storage locations immediately following said given locations.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide card magazine drive means for normally driving the card magazine in a constant step-by-step manner relative to a stationary card supply means, and specimen magazine drive means for normally continuously driving said specimen magazine in a stepby-step manner relative to the specimen container supply means. In accordance with an important feature of the invention, specimen input drive means are provided for driving the specimen container supply means in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal direction of movement of the specimen container magazine, whereby relative movement may be achieved either by stepping the specimen magazine relative to stationary container supply means, or by stepping the container supply means relative to stationary specimen magazine means. Consequently, by appropriate control of the respective magazine drive means as influenced by the storage location condition sensing means, one or both of the magazine drive means may be interrupted upon detection of a faulty condition in the storage locations, and the condition may be corrected by appropriate operation of the specimen input drive means to step the specimen supply means in the appropriate direction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying single FlG. ofdrawing which comprises a diagrammatic top plan view of the means for correlating the specimen and card supply means of the automatic specimen-analyzing apparatus.

Referring to the drawing, the specimen container magazine means includes a plurality of uniformly spaced container storage locations (11-15) arranged longitudinally of the direction of travel 18 of the magazine, said storage locations being adapted to receive, in succession, downwardly deposited specimen containers (only three of which, 31-33, have been shown). The magazine 10 is preferably in the form of an endless conveyor belt or chain (only a portion of which has been illustrated) that is normally driven constantly in a step-by-step manner by the specimen magazine drive means 71, the step stroke of said magazine means corresponding with the spacing distance of the container storage locations.

Associated with the specimen magazine 10 is the specimen container supply means 20 that is mounted for reciprocatory movement in opposite directions relative to the axis of the specimen magazine as shown by the arrows 28, 28'. The specimen supply means 20 is driven by the specimen input drive means 75 in a step-by-step manner, the stroke of said supply means corresponding with that of the magazine 10. The supply means 20 has a generally U-shaped horizontal cross section for defining an opening 21 that is adapted to be positioned above a storage location prior to the depositing of a container therein. In the illustrated embodiment, a specimen container 33 has just been deposited by the supply means 20 into the container storage location 13, the upper portion of the specimen container 33 still projecting upwardly within the opening 2]. In accordance with the present invention, sensing means-including a light source 22 for supplying a light beam 24 to the photocell pickup 23are provided on the leg portions of supply means 20 for presenting an indication of whether or not the storage location arranged therebeneath is in an empty or a filled condition.

The card magazine 40 similarly contains a plurality of uniformly spaced, longitudinally arranged card storage locations 41-45 for receiving, in succession, downwardly deposited origin cards that correspond with the specimen containers deposited in the storage locations 11-15, respectively. The card storage locations comprise slots or recesses so dimensioned that the origin cards will project slightly upwardly therefrom when in the fully inserted condition. The card magazine 40 is preferably in the form of an endless belt or chain that is continuously driven in a step-by-step manner by the card magazine drive means 72, the stroke of said card magazine corresponding with the spacing distance between the card storage locations.

Associated with the card magazine means 40 are stationary card supply means 50 containing an input opening 51 through which the cards are deposited in succession in the card storage locations 41-45 passing therebeneath. In the drawing it will be assumed that the card 63 has just been deposited from opening 51 into storage location 43. In order to confirm that the storage location beneath opening 51 has properly received a card, there are provided on the supply means 50 optical detecting means including a light source 52 and a photocell 53, the light ray 54 passing therebetween being reflected by the card 63.

The specimen container and origin card detecting means (22-24 and 52-54, respectively) are connected with control means 74 (such as a suitable logic or switching circuit) for ensuring that the next specimen container and corresponding origin card cannot be deposited in the following storage locations 14 and 44, respectively, until it has been determined that the preceding container 33 and card 63 have been properly deposited in the storage locations 13 and 43, respectively. In the card magazine means 40, the card release means 76 for depositing the next card following the card 63 cannot be activated until the magazine is stepped to the left by drive means 73 to position slot 44 beneath opening 51. ln the specimen magazine, on the other hand, the release of the specimen container following container 33 may be released in either of two ways-namely, by maintaining the supply means 20 stationary and stepping the magazine 10 one step to the left, or by maintaining magazine 10 stationary and stepping supply means 20 one step to the right (i.e., in the direction shown by arrow 28'). In either case, the step distance equals the spacing distance between container storage locations, and consequently the storage station 14 will be positioned beneath the supply opening 21.

On the other hand, if the two sensing means should detect an improper specimen or card supply condition at the storage locations arranged therebeneath, the system operates automatically to prevent a specimen container or a card from being deposited into the next storage location (14 and 44, respectively). In the case of the card reservoir 40, the release of a card into storage location 44 can be prevented simply by deactivating the drive means 73. On the other hand, at the container supply magazine 10, to prevent relative movement between the supply means 20 and the magazine 10, the specimen input drive means 72 may be actuated to step supply means 20 to the left simultaneously with the stepping of magazine 10 to the left by the drive means 71.

It is apparent that the operation of the magazines 10 and 40 as described above assures continuous operation of the specimen-analyzing system associated therewith. If an inadvertent error occurs in filling either of the reservoirs, in addition to the described interruption of the supply means, visible and/or audible alarm means (not shown) may be connected with the sensing means for calling the operators attention to the error.

While in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes the preferred form and embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the inventive concept.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. In an automatic specimen-analyzing apparatus of the type including a specimen magazine having a plurality of longitudinally spaced location (11-13) for receiving separate specimen containers (31-33), respectively, and a card magazine (40) having a plurality of longitudinally spaced card-receiving locations (41-43) for receiving specimen origin cards (61-63) corresponding with said specimen containers, respectively, the improvement which comprises container-sensing means (22-24) for detecting the presence of a container in a given specimen storage location (13);

card-sensing means (52-54) for detecting the presence of an origin card in a corresponding given card-receiving location (43); and

means operable only when both of said given specimen and card storage locations are detected as being in a filled condition for depositing a subsequent container and the corresponding card in the container and card locations (14, 44) immediately following said given locations, respectively.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including container supply means for depositing said specimen containers into said specimen storage locations, respectively, said container-sensing means being connected with said container supply means;

card supply means (50) for depositing said origin cards into said card-receiving locations, respectively, said cardsensing means being connected with said card supply means;

and further wherein said means for depositing said subsequent container and card into the corresponding storage locations includes means for displacing said container and card supply means in a step-by-step manner relative to said specimen and card magazine means, respectively.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said magazines is operable in a given direction in a step-by-step manner, and further wherein the supply means associated with said given magazine is operable in a corresponding step-bystep manner in the same direction as said magazine to prevent relative movement between said magazine and said supply means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said magazines is adapted for step-by-step movement in a given direction and the corresponding supply means is adapted for step-by-step movement in the opposite direction.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said supply means is stationary and the corresponding magazine is operable in a step-by-step manner in'a constant conveying direction, and further wherein the movement of said magazine is interrupted when said containerand card-sensing means fail to detect a container and a card in said given storage locations, respectively.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the other of said supply means is movable in the direction of the corresponding magazine in a corresponding step-by-step manner to interrupt relative movement between said other supply means and the corresponding magazine.

7. Automatic specimen-analyzing apparatus, comprising specimen magazine means (10) containing a plurality of longitudinally spaced container locations (11-13) for receiving separate specimen containers (31-33), respectively; 4

normally deactivated specimen supply means for depositing said containers in succession in said container locations, respectively;

card magazine means (40) containing a plurality of longitudinally spaced card container locations (41-45) for receiving separate cards that correspond with said specimens, respectively;

normally deactivated card supply means (50) for depositing said cards in succession in said card locations. respectively, said card supply means being stationary;

specimen magazine drive means (71) normally driving said specimen magazine means continuously in a step-by-step manner in a given direction (18) and at a stroke corresponding with the spacing distance between said container-receiving locations;

card magazine drive means (73) normally driving said car magazine means continuously in a step-by-step manner in a given direction (48) and at a stroke corresponding with thespacing distance between said card-receiving locations;

card magazine drive means (72) for driving said specimen supply means alternately in a step-by-step manner in opposite directions longitudinally of said specimen magazine means, the stroke of operation of said supply means corresponding with that of said specimen magazine means;

container sensing means (22, 23) connected with said specimen supply means for detecting the presence or absence of a container in a given specimen-receiving lo- 7 cation at a given time;

card-sensing means (52, 53) connected with said card supply means for detecting the presence or absence of a card in a given card-receiving location at a given time;

and control means (74-76) operable only when said sensing means detect both of said given locations as being in filled conditions for operating said supply means and said magazine means to deposit a specimen container and the corresponding origin card in the locations (14, 44) immediately following said given locations, respectively.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, and further wherein said control means is operable to deactivate said card magazine drive means upon the detection of one of said given locations being in the filed condition and the other of said given locations being in the empty condition.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, and further wherein said control means is operable to prevent relative movement between said specimen container supply means and said specimen magazine means upon the detection of one of said given locations being in the filled condition and the other of said given locations being in the empty condition.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein means for preventing relative movement between said container supply means and said specimen magazine means comprises means for operating said specimen input drive means to step said container supply means in the direction of stepped travel of said container magazine means.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, and further wherein said control means is operable when said specimen magazine drive means is deactivated for operating said specimen input drive means to step said specimen supply means in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of said magazine means, thereby to effect relative movement between said specimen supply means and said specimen magazine means. 

1. In an automatic specimen-analyzing apparatus of the type including a specimen magazine (10) having a plurality of longitudinally spaced location (11-13) for receiving separate specimen containers (31-33), respectively, and a card magazine (40) having a plurality of longitudinally spaced card-receiving locations (41-43) for receiving specimen origin cards (61-63) corresponding with said specimen containers, respectively, the improvement which comprises container-sensing means (22-24) for detecting the presence of a container in a given specimen storage location (13); card-sensing means (52-54) for detecting the presence of an origin card in a corresponding given card-receiving location (43); and means operable only when both of said given specimen and card storage locations are detected as being in a filled condition for depositing a subsequent container and the corresponding card in the container and card locations (14, 44) immediately following said given locations, respectively.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including container supply means (20) for depositing said specimen containers into said specimen storage locations, respectively, said container-sensing means being connected with said container supply means; card supply means (50) for depositing said origin cards into said card-receiving locations, respectively, said card-sensing means being connected with said card supply means; and further wherein said means for depositing said subsequent container and card into the corresponding storage locations includes means for displacing said container and card supply means in a step-by-step manner relative to said specimen and card magazine means, respectively.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said magazines is operable in a given direction in a step-by-step manner, and further wherein the supply means associated with said given magazine is operable in a corresponding step-by-step manner in the same direction as said magazine to prevent relative movement between said magazine and said supply means.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said magazines is adapted for step-by-step movement in a given direction and the corresponding supply means is adapted for step-by-step movement in the opposite direction.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said supply means is stationary and the corresponding magazine is operable in a step-by-step manner in a constant conveying direction, and further wherein the movement of said magazine is interrupted when said container- and card-sensing means fail to detect a container and a card in said given storage locations, respectively.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the other of said supply means is movable in the direction of the corresponding magazine in a corresponding step-by-step manner to interrupt relative movement between said other supply means and the corresponding magazine.
 7. Automatic specimen-analyzing apparatus, comprising specimen magazine means (10) containing a plurality of longitudinally spaced container locations (11-13) for receiving separate specimen containers (31-33), respectively; normally deactivated specimen supply means for depositing said containers in succession in said container locations, respectively; card magazine means (40) containing a plurality of longitudinally spaced card container locations (41-45) for receiving separate cards that correspond with said specimens, respectively; normally deactivated card supply means (50) for depositing said cards in succession in said card locations, respectively, said card supply means being stationary; specimen magazine drive means (71) normally driving said specimen magazine means continuously in a step-by-step manner in a given direction (18) and at a stroke corresponding with the spacing distance between said container-receiving locations; card magazine drive means (73) normally driving said car magazine means continuously in a step-by-step manner in a given direction (48) and at a stroke corresponding with the spacing distance between said card-receiving locations; specimen input drive means (72) for driving said specimen supply means alternately in a step-by-step manner in opposite directions longitudinally of said specimen magazine means, the stroke of operation of said supply means corresponding with that of said specimen magazine means; container sensing means (22, 23) connected with said specimen supply means for detecting the presence or absence of a container in a given specimen-receiving location at a given time; card-sensing means (52, 53) connected with said card supply means for detecting the presence or absence of a card in a given card-receiving location at a given time; and control means (74-76) operable only when said sensing means detect both of said given locations as being in filled conditions for operating said supply means and said magazine means to deposit a specimen container and the corresponding origin card in the locations (14, 44) immediately following said given locations, respectively.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, and further wherein said control means is operable to deactivate said card magazine drive means upon the detection of one of said given locations being in the filed condition and the other of said given locations being in the empty condition.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, and further wherein said control means is operable to prevent relative movement between said specimen container supply means and said specimen magazine means upon the detection of one of said given locations being in the filled condition and the other of said given locations being in the empty condition.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein means fOr preventing relative movement between said container supply means and said specimen magazine means comprises means for operating said specimen input drive means to step said container supply means in the direction of stepped travel of said container magazine means.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, and further wherein said control means is operable when said specimen magazine drive means is deactivated for operating said specimen input drive means to step said specimen supply means in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of said magazine means, thereby to effect relative movement between said specimen supply means and said specimen magazine means. 